I was watching an interview of Wayne Carini by SCM contributor Philip Richter. In it, Wayne mentions that this will be his 40th time going to Pebble Beach and Monterey.
I’ve been more than 30 times, myself, and have a secret place to go to that I want to share.
If viewed through a telescope, the Monterey Peninsula during Car Week would look like an ant hill swarming with people and multi-colored cars. Every square inch would be covered.
Yet I have found one place, year after year, that is always quiet, and easy to get a meal at with the world’s bests view.
It’s hiding in plain sight.
It’s the Stillwater Bar and Grill, right in the lodge at Pebble Beach. While packed to the gills from Friday on, I have found that it is always nearly empty during the week, particularly for lunch.
Try it and let me know your results. And if you have your own secret quiet place during the weekend, I’d like to hear about it.
Have a great week and remember the SCM motto, “If you buy a car you love, you will have no regrets in the morning.”
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Hi Keith . Fred Nuttall and I will be at the Still Water on Saturday night prior to Sunday’s Concours . Be sure and make a reservation as Walk-ins are not successful on that weekend . It’s a Great Bar & restaurant and they make a great “Side Car” !….try one ! Cheers !.
I highly recommend leaving the pack and trying places outside of the drag. Try the bar -Restaurant at Mission Ranch. Then moving east a bit, Rio Grill at the Cross Roads never disappoints. Next head out Carmel valley road, the further you go the less crowded, exception would be Baha Cantina, get there early and enjoy the nightly show. Mid afternoons seem to be the least crowded and on your way to and from Bonhams at the Quail. I encourage you to venture even further to Carmel Village, great breakfast at the Trailside Cafe, and basic offering and cold beverages at the Running Iron. Have fun, don’t be in a rush, never stop driving.
I agree, The Stillwater Bar and Grill are awesome and we have always been able to just walk right in without a reservation. But, our favorite is the Inn at Spanish Bay. We go for lunch and then just hang around for a few hours outside and by the huge fireplace inside. Great car talk, people watching, car watching, and incredible views!
Not a fancy place but a lot of history, if you are looking for a great deli sandwich, visit Compagno’s Market & Deli, 2000 Prescott Ave, Monterey, CA 93940 serving students from the Defense Language Institute since 1965. I have a sandwich there every year when visiting the historic races. I had my first there in 1981, when I was a Army Russian student in Monterey for 47 weeks.